Kaitlyn Jackson
Oldie revivals, Euro-country, a teenager, redneck rocking and a Grammy TV success story — today’s column has them all.
Teea Goans and Sage Keffer are the revivalists. Nicole Freytag and Fred Weston are checking in from Austria. American Idol competitor Kaitlyn Jackson is the teen queen. Montgomery Gentry are back.
And Brandy Clark’s TV performance on the Grammys was one for the record books. She might not have won an award, but she sure gained some fans. If you don’t already own a copy of her stunning 12 Stories album, you’re a fool.
But none of these seven acts won this week’s Disc of the Day prize. Instead, it goes to the always-pleasing Dan + Shay.
To the afore mentioned teen Kaitlyn Jackson, we present a DisCovery Award along with a wish for a long and happy country career.
JILL & JULIA/Cursed
Writers: Jill & Julia; Producer: Dave Moody; Publishers: Songs From American Street, BMI; Lamon (track)
-The title tune of this duo’s 7-song EP is a bluesy, minor-key, mid-tempo outing with a haunting vibe. The problems with it are a busy production and a mix so muddy that you can barely understand the lyrics. The gals seem like they have talent, but they need to get some clarity in their sound.
MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Folks Like Us
Writers: Neal Coty/Ash Bowers/Adam Craig; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: none listed; Blaster
-In praise of the “boot-wearin,’ God-fearin’” everyday people of small-town Middle America. Enthusiastic sounding.
NICOLE FREYTAG/Lay Back
Writers: Pete Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-A country label in Austria has sent in some sides for consideration in the column. This one has a lilting, Abba-esque melodic quality that is quite listenable. The rhythm track is a little on the mechanical side, but she was a sweet soprano vocal.
Dan+Shay
DAN + SHAY/Nothin’ Like You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner-Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/Highly Combustible/Sadie’s Favorite/EMI April/Sugar Glider, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-She drives him into a spinning, dizzy, sweetly romantic swirl. The fizzy, frothy track and the youthful, innocent, tenor vocals combine to create a totally dreamy pop-country confection. I remain a fan of these boys.
KAITLYN JACKSON/All The Little Things
Writers: Kaitlyn Jackson/Joe Sins; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed; KJ (track)
-This former American Idol competitor is just 16, but she sings with the assertion, power and confidence of someone much older. Her song is an upbeat message ditty about celebrating every small blessing in your life. Quite promising.
BRANDY CLARK/Hold My Hand
Writers: Brandy Clark/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publishers: Songs of Parallel/Vista Loma/Amplified Administration/Harlan Howard, ASCAP/BMI; Slate Creek (track)
-Clark’s performance of this ballad on Sunday’s Grammy Awards telecast resulted in a 3,763% increase in Pandora “station adds,” a 34% increase in Spotify streams for her CD and a 494% increase for this track. The tenderness and vulnerability of “Hold My Hand” melts the soul. Amid a sea of TV performances that tried to be over the top, her simple, acoustic, unadorned rendition of it with Dwight Yoakam singing harmony justifiably stole hearts from coast to coast. Righteous and true.
TORI MARTIN/From Here To There
Writers: none listed; Producer: Bart Rose/Billy Herzig; Publishers:none listed; Martin Enterprises
-Punchy and percussive. She’s hitting the road, leaving the mistakes of her life behind her. She’s a tiny bit vocally sharp here and there, but the energy is definitely audible.
TEEA GOANS/Memories To Burn
Writers: Dave Kirby/Warren Robb; Producer: Terry Choate; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; Crosswind (track)
-Goans is unquestionably one of the finest young traditional female country stylists working today. The title tune of her latest CD is a solid revival of a 1985 Gene Watson chestnut, complete with twin fiddles and steel guitar. There’s a delight around every corner on this collection, whether she’s tackling tunes originated by Merle Haggard (”Sing a Sad Song,” “You Take Me For Granted”), Ray Price (”I Won’t Mention it Again”) or even Michael Martin Murphey (”What’s Forever For”). Buy this record.
FRED WESTON/You Tell Me
Writers: Peter Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-Recorded in Austria with a backing band called “The Dirty Nuggets,” this is a toe-tapping ditty with a feather-light, Teutonic-accented vocalist who’s asking for truthfulness. In case you might miss it, he repeats the three-word title 34 times, by my count.
SAGE KEFFER/You’re Only Lonely
Writers: John Souther; Producers: Matt Rovey/Sage Keffer; Publishers: none listed; SK (track)
-Keffer is a longtime “DisClaimer” column favorite. This time around, he’s reviving J.D. Souther’s 1980 hit, which charted country as well as pop. The new version slows the song and eliminates the original’s Orbison-like echo. These changes throw the spotlight on its still-gorgeous melody as well as on its well-constructed, desolate, aching lyric. Also: Keffer holds the finale falsetto note beyond human endurance. Well worth your spins.
Emerging Artist Photos: Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt
/by Eric T. ParkerSam Hunt Visits ACM
Pictured (L-R): Bob Romeo (ACM, CEO) with Sam Hunt. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the ACM.
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) welcomed its New Artist of the Year semi-finalist Sam Hunt to their Encino, CA offices while the UMG Nashville breakout artist was in Los Angeles to kick off his sold-out headlining Lipstick Graffiti Tour. While at the ACM, he performed his Platinum-selling, “Leave the Night On” as well as his latest radio single, “Take Your Time.” Watch a clip of the visit here.
Brett Eldredge Visits CMT Hot 20 Countdown with Cody Alan
Cody Alan (L), Brett Eldredge (R).
Brett Eldredge recently stopped by to co-host CMT Hot 20 Countdown with Cody Alan. The all-new episode will premiere Valentines Day, Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. ET/PT.
Doobie Brothers Add Additional Tour Dates
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): John McFee, Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers have added new dates to their nationwide 2015 tour, including select dates with Don Felder of The Eagles. The band are also giving fans advance access to ticket pre-sales via their recently launched “Takin’ It To the Streets Concert Club.” Member perks also include exclusive merch and meet & greet opportunities.
Fans can join the “Takin’ It To the Streets Concert Club” here.
Newly Added 2015 Tour Dates
April 22: Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, Midland, Texas (w/ Special Guest Don Felder)
April 24: Majestic Theatre, San Antonio (w/ Special Guest Don Felder)
April 25: Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, Texas (w/ Special Guest Don Felder)
April 27: ACL Live at the Moody Theatre, Austin, Texas (w/ Special Guest Don Felder)
May 2: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, Ga. (w/ Special Guest Don Felder)
June 14: Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
June 16: Lee Schwab Amphitheatre, Bend, Ore.
July 17: Moondance Jam, Walker, Minn.
July 18: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Riverside, Iowa
July 19: Divot’s Conference Center, Norfolk, Neb.
Sept. 10: Lockn’ Festival, Arrington, Va.
Chief On Tour: CBS Goes Behind The Scenes
/by Sarah SkatesEric Church with CBS’ Mark Strassmann
Photo courtesy: Jill Trunnel
CBS This Morning went behind the scenes of Eric Church’s tour recently. Reporting from Fresno and Los Angeles, Mark Strassmann showed what goes into the $19 million production: 170 tons of equipment, 100+ crew members, 18-hour days, 14 trucks, 12 buses, six-hour set up, and, as his stage manager put it, “100,000 pounds of rock your city.”
Costs of the nine-month outing are $3 million for the stage, $3.9 million for vehicles, $2.5 million for lighting video and audio, and $2 million to pay the crew, which equals about “$250,000 to show up” at a venue.
Strassman also interviewed Church last year, showing his hometown Granite Falls, N.C. and the cabin where he wrote the songs for The Outsiders. See that here.
Artist Updates: The Band Perry, The Grand Ole Opry, Casting Crowns
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Band Perry To Take Part in Stevie Wonder Grammy Salute
The Band Perry
Republic Nashville trio The Band Perry will join several artists to salute Stevie Wonder during “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life,” which will air Monday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Television Network.
Other artists set to take part in the event include Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Jill Scott John Legend, Ariana Grande, Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams, and more. The two-hour special will be presented by The Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS.
The Grand Ole Opry To Launch Tuesday Night Opry Performances for 2015
The artist line-up for Tues., Feb. 24 includes Opry members Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, and more.
Cracker Barrel To Release Casting Crowns’ Hymns Album
The album features 12 songs, including six new tracks recorded especially for this collection.
Steven Curtis Chapman, Francesca Battistelli To Launch The Bible Tour 2015
Tickets are available at thebibletour2015.com.
Bassist Michael Rhodes To Be Featured At CMHoF
/by Troy_StephensonMichael Rhodes
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s quarterly program series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians returns Saturday, March 7, with renowned bassist Michael Rhodes. The 2 p.m. interview, held in the museum’s Ford Theater, is included with museum admission and free to museum members.
Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include an in-depth, one-on-one interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Seating for the program is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following, Rhodes will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print posters in the Museum Store.
Rhodes has performed live and played on sessions for many country and pop chart-toppers, including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Steve Winwood, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Wynonna Judd, the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Neal McCoy, Chely Wright, Doug Stone, and many more.
He has won many awards for his musicianship—including multiple Academy of Country Music instrumental awards.
RareSpark Adds Publishing/Producer Management Talent
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Scot Sherrod, VP/GM; Park Chisolm; Suzanne Strickland, Owner/CEO.
Singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Park Chisolm has signed a publishing and producer management deal with RareSpark Media Group.
A Newnan, Ga. native, Chisolm relocated to Nashville in 1996 before spending several years as a studio and road instrumentalist including time with Kevin Costner‘s band Modern West. Chisolm co-produced the band’s album Famous For Killing Each Other. Other production credits include music for the History Channel’s The Hatfields and McCoys series and CCMA artist Victoria Banks‘ album Indigo.
“Park’s talents as a writer, producer, and musician are diverse, and a very welcome addition to our RareSpark family,” says RareSpark’s Owner/CEO Suzanne Strickland of the new addition.
“We couldn’t be more excited and honored to be working with him,” adds RareSpark’s VP/GM Scot Sherrod, “Everything he works on is refreshingly authentic and second to none.”
Songwriters In The Round For Nashville School of the Arts
/by Sarah SkatesSet to perform at the Nashville School of the Arts fundraiser.
Songwriter Benefit For Nashville School of the Arts
Radney Foster, Bill Lloyd, Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough will perform a benefit concert for Nashville School of the Arts at NSA’s Roxy Theatre on March 10 at 7 p.m. These friends and frequent collaborators will perform in-the-round and give a glimpse into the creative process. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door for adults, and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased here.
Spin Doctors’ Thursday Night Throwdown
Spin Doctors Music Group is dedicating its third annual Thursday Night Throwdown to music industry veteran Billy Block, who is battling stage IV cancer. The free event is Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. at Nashville’s Hard Rock Café. There will be acoustic performances by Ten Mile Creek, Jeremy Staubus, Justin McCorkle and Greg Shirley. SMG Records artists set to perform include Iron Cowboy, Kayla Calabrese, New Black Seven, Chris Dags, Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves, and Presley & Taylor.
Whitey Shafer Tribute Concert
Moe Bandy is hosting a tribute to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Whitey Shafer at The Nashville Palace on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. The lineup includes Bandy, Joe Stampley, Becky Hobbs, T. Graham Brown, Gene Watson, Johnny Lee, Jeannie Seely, Rhonda Vincent, David Frizzell, Dallas Frazier, Eddy Raven, Jett Williams, Mark Wills, John Conlee, Jimmy Fortune,Leona Williams, Lane Brody, William Michael Morgan, James Carothers, Moore & Moore, Teea Goans, and the Rhodes Family Singers. Tickets are $20 at the door, or can be purchased at www.nashville-palace.com.
DISClaimer: All Under The Country Umbrella
/by Robert K OermannKaitlyn Jackson
Oldie revivals, Euro-country, a teenager, redneck rocking and a Grammy TV success story — today’s column has them all.
Teea Goans and Sage Keffer are the revivalists. Nicole Freytag and Fred Weston are checking in from Austria. American Idol competitor Kaitlyn Jackson is the teen queen. Montgomery Gentry are back.
And Brandy Clark’s TV performance on the Grammys was one for the record books. She might not have won an award, but she sure gained some fans. If you don’t already own a copy of her stunning 12 Stories album, you’re a fool.
But none of these seven acts won this week’s Disc of the Day prize. Instead, it goes to the always-pleasing Dan + Shay.
To the afore mentioned teen Kaitlyn Jackson, we present a DisCovery Award along with a wish for a long and happy country career.
JILL & JULIA/Cursed
Writers: Jill & Julia; Producer: Dave Moody; Publishers: Songs From American Street, BMI; Lamon (track)
-The title tune of this duo’s 7-song EP is a bluesy, minor-key, mid-tempo outing with a haunting vibe. The problems with it are a busy production and a mix so muddy that you can barely understand the lyrics. The gals seem like they have talent, but they need to get some clarity in their sound.
MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Folks Like Us
Writers: Neal Coty/Ash Bowers/Adam Craig; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: none listed; Blaster
-In praise of the “boot-wearin,’ God-fearin’” everyday people of small-town Middle America. Enthusiastic sounding.
NICOLE FREYTAG/Lay Back
Writers: Pete Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-A country label in Austria has sent in some sides for consideration in the column. This one has a lilting, Abba-esque melodic quality that is quite listenable. The rhythm track is a little on the mechanical side, but she was a sweet soprano vocal.
Dan+Shay
DAN + SHAY/Nothin’ Like You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner-Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/Highly Combustible/Sadie’s Favorite/EMI April/Sugar Glider, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-She drives him into a spinning, dizzy, sweetly romantic swirl. The fizzy, frothy track and the youthful, innocent, tenor vocals combine to create a totally dreamy pop-country confection. I remain a fan of these boys.
KAITLYN JACKSON/All The Little Things
Writers: Kaitlyn Jackson/Joe Sins; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed; KJ (track)
-This former American Idol competitor is just 16, but she sings with the assertion, power and confidence of someone much older. Her song is an upbeat message ditty about celebrating every small blessing in your life. Quite promising.
BRANDY CLARK/Hold My Hand
Writers: Brandy Clark/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publishers: Songs of Parallel/Vista Loma/Amplified Administration/Harlan Howard, ASCAP/BMI; Slate Creek (track)
-Clark’s performance of this ballad on Sunday’s Grammy Awards telecast resulted in a 3,763% increase in Pandora “station adds,” a 34% increase in Spotify streams for her CD and a 494% increase for this track. The tenderness and vulnerability of “Hold My Hand” melts the soul. Amid a sea of TV performances that tried to be over the top, her simple, acoustic, unadorned rendition of it with Dwight Yoakam singing harmony justifiably stole hearts from coast to coast. Righteous and true.
TORI MARTIN/From Here To There
Writers: none listed; Producer: Bart Rose/Billy Herzig; Publishers:none listed; Martin Enterprises
-Punchy and percussive. She’s hitting the road, leaving the mistakes of her life behind her. She’s a tiny bit vocally sharp here and there, but the energy is definitely audible.
TEEA GOANS/Memories To Burn
Writers: Dave Kirby/Warren Robb; Producer: Terry Choate; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; Crosswind (track)
-Goans is unquestionably one of the finest young traditional female country stylists working today. The title tune of her latest CD is a solid revival of a 1985 Gene Watson chestnut, complete with twin fiddles and steel guitar. There’s a delight around every corner on this collection, whether she’s tackling tunes originated by Merle Haggard (”Sing a Sad Song,” “You Take Me For Granted”), Ray Price (”I Won’t Mention it Again”) or even Michael Martin Murphey (”What’s Forever For”). Buy this record.
FRED WESTON/You Tell Me
Writers: Peter Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-Recorded in Austria with a backing band called “The Dirty Nuggets,” this is a toe-tapping ditty with a feather-light, Teutonic-accented vocalist who’s asking for truthfulness. In case you might miss it, he repeats the three-word title 34 times, by my count.
SAGE KEFFER/You’re Only Lonely
Writers: John Souther; Producers: Matt Rovey/Sage Keffer; Publishers: none listed; SK (track)
-Keffer is a longtime “DisClaimer” column favorite. This time around, he’s reviving J.D. Souther’s 1980 hit, which charted country as well as pop. The new version slows the song and eliminates the original’s Orbison-like echo. These changes throw the spotlight on its still-gorgeous melody as well as on its well-constructed, desolate, aching lyric. Also: Keffer holds the finale falsetto note beyond human endurance. Well worth your spins.
CRS And CMA Partner For Welcome Reception For CRS 2015
/by Troy_StephensonCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) and Country Music Association (CMA) have partnered to present the CMA Artist Welcome Reception to open CRS 2015.
The networking event for artists and registered attendees of CRS is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Nashville Convention Center starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. This is the fifth consecutive year the Artist Welcome Reception is on the CRS agenda, but this is the first year that the CMA has partnered with CRS for the opening event.
“CMA is proud of our longstanding partnership with CRB. Country radio is a key driver for discovery and exposure of great Country Music and this is always a productive week,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to help CRS kickoff an exciting 2015 and welcome our many radio members back to Nashville.”
In order to participate in the CMA Artist Welcome Reception, artists must satisfy certain guidelines, including a CRS registrant requirement and a chart requirement. For more information about the Artist/Attendee Welcome reception, please contact Christy Watkins at christy@aristomedia.com.
To register for CRS 2015, please visit www.crb.org or contact the CRS offices today. The current registration rate for the three-day event is $599.
Combustion Re-ups Hit Christian Songwriter with Atlas
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): John C. Beiter (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt, & Hayes), Matthew West, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn.
Matthew West has inked a four-year worldwide publishing deal with Combustion Music and Atlas Music Publishing.
“Matthew has been with Combustion since 2008, and continues to write and create incredible music in the Christian and country genres, that moves the needle…both in sales and how it touches peoples lives,” said Chris Farren, Combustion Music owner/President. “All of us at Combustion could not be happier to be continuing this successful relationship.”
West is a five-time Grammy nominee, was named Billboard’s top Christian music songwriter of 2013, and was recently awarded his first American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist. West also earned his ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year award in 2014, propelled by the major success of his single, “Hello My Name Is,” which spent a record-setting 17 weeks at the top of the Christian music charts, and named ASCAP’s 2014 Christian Music Song of the Year. West’s total career album sales are well over 1 million sold. He has had more than 12 No. 1 songs, including “The Motions,” and “Forgiveness.” West has also had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Michael W. Smith, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns, and many others.
An artist himself, West has released five studio albums. The title track of his 2011 holiday album inspired a television movie and his own debut acting role. His 2010 album, The Story of Your Life, landed at No. 3 on the Christian album chart in its debut week and spawned a book penned with noted author Angela Thomas, as well as a church curriculum DVD series.